Wondering what would be the fastest, cheapest, easiest way to get MY bike on the track, any track. Blackhawk, RA, hell anything! I've never been on a track before, I'm sure it's quite a different experience then street. So which track has the most minimal set of rules regarding safety wiring (haven't done that and can't in the near future). I'm basically hoping to find a place where I can take off my mirrors, tape up the headlight and just go........... Any ideas/thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Vic

VIVID1

08-05-2002, 02:46 PM

NESBA.... next track day is in September, you can do a FREE 2 session intro, then stay for the whole day if you want. It's at BHF. Become a member for $75 and you pay about $145 per day.

Champ91

08-05-2002, 02:56 PM

You cant get any cheaper than free so come on out in September to BHF and do the free intro.

Pugsly

08-05-2002, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by Champ91
You cant get any cheaper than free so come on out in September to BHF and do the free intro.

yep free is cheap.........but after that I don't think you will have any other chances to just "tape and go"

Most (if not all) groups require safety gear "leathers, boots, back protector (not required but very good idea) gloves, helmet. your investment for those would run $800-$1200. ( Don't want to scare you but saftety ain't cheap) But after that track days run $130-$170 and thats pretty much it........get ready to get addicted:D :cheers

KBOlsen

08-05-2002, 04:20 PM

Face it, performance riding is not a cheap hobby...:helmet

Steve Karson

08-05-2002, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by The Mole
To Anyone-

So which track has the most minimal set of rules regarding safety wiring (haven't done that and can't in the near future). Any ideas/thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Vic

To safety wire the minimum basic's (oil filter, drain plug, brake caliper bolts ) should only take about 1hr maybe 2hr if you are not good with a drill. Check out this page from the WERA rulebook for the proper technique. http://www.wera.com/pages/rulebook.htm#ch13

It's really not that difficult.

loudes13

08-05-2002, 04:44 PM

Isnít the cheapest race track still the Huntley course? Go to Jim's picnic and go for a ride. It's a great place to sharpen your skills. Ultimately Nesba the way to go, but you'll still learn a lot on some fast paced group rides, or Ken's little classes. If you just want to get to the track, you can crew for me.

Jim

08-05-2002, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by loudes13
Isnít the cheapest race track still the Huntley course? Go to Jim's picnic and go for a ride. It's a great place to sharpen your skills. Ultimately Nesba the way to go, but you'll still learn a lot on some fast paced group rides, or Ken's little classes. If you just want to get to the track, you can crew for me.

it is if you know where your going!:jester

The Mole

08-05-2002, 05:32 PM

Those are some great suggestions. I think the one about hitting some great twisties on a group ride is probably the best thing right now. I completely forgot that I don't even have a leather suit err.. pants or whatever. Granted you can rent leathers. So called 'canyon carving' would be great but aside from Kenosha, I really haven't found any great stretches of road around here, mostly teases, a couple of good turns then nothing. I'll definitely be in on the next ride, and if anyone's got a map feel free to email it to me. I'd like to get familiar with the roads. It'd be nice as I stated in a different post to just follow someone that's pretty good on the turns just to pay attention to lines, speeds, gearing and braking. I still would like to check that out in Sept. at BHF. That would be great as well, and if I like it (which I think I will) then who knows? Maybe next year I'll spend some more time and $$$ to get my ass on the track more. Maybe get me one of them nice leather suits with "Born To Lose" printed on the back!:p It's an expensive hobby that's for sure, I can see where getting addicted to track riding could make it ALOT more expensive, but the skillz I think I'd pick up would probably be priceless and possibly life-saving. :thumbsup

Jim

08-05-2002, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by The Mole
, but the skillz I think I'd pick up would probably be priceless and possibly life-saving. :thumbsup

Trust me the skills you will learn on the track "WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE" dont ask me how i know, i wasnt checking out a bbq saturday while mid turn i swear!!!:D :helmet

OmniGLH

08-05-2002, 07:11 PM

Another way to maximize track time is to consider getting your license (Learning Curves, CA Superbike, etc.) I know that Blackhawk has practice days every Friday prior to a race... and it's cheap, compared to a normal trackday. The last one I did was something like $65 for the day. But you need your license to do it. They break it down into groups (Expert, Amateur, and Lightweight Amateur)... at the last BHF event, they were allowing bigger bikes out in the Lightweight group, provided you were a "slow" Am.

Just another option to consider. Racing is expensive... but it is VERY addicting, and buttloads of fun. If you have any children, you should start thinking about putting them up on the black market now, to have the cash ready ;) But racing is a sure-fire way to tell whether you're improving or not, based on where you finish. And it's easier to get faster, by following faster guys. But I also agree with what the others have said - you kinda need to get yourself to a 'minimum' level before you start racing. Up until then, it's not only dangerous to yourself, but to the others racing around the track as well.